A Lake Michigan Sunset | Photo by Brad Reed
Take a Car Ferry Shortcut Between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin
Northeastern Wisconsin and Northwest Michigan have a lot in common. Situated across Lake Michigan from each other, the scenery boasts rolling countryside, magnificent lake views, and miles of beautiful beaches.
Traverse City to Green Bay the Easy Way!
Should you wish to travel from Traverse City to Green Bay, the S.S. Badger is the way to go. Take a scenic drive of less than two hours from Traverse City to Ludington, Michigan. Ludington is the home port of the Lake Michigan Carferry, and a wonderful community to visit. In Ludington, you can board the S.S. Badger carferry and enjoy a relaxing four hour cruise to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Once in Manitowoc, you have less than an hour’s drive to Green Bay.
S.S. Badger Carferry Amenities
The fun isn’t just found on land…there are lots of entertaining activities aboard the S.S. Badger as it makes its four hour trip across Lake Michigan. Find a lounge chair out on the spacious deck and soak up the sun, play Badger Bingo, watch a movie, shop in the Badger Boatique, or enjoy a meal or drink. The trip will fly by, and you may not want to disembark!
Congratulations to the S.S. Badger on its status as a National Historic Landmark! Click here to read more about the history of this great ship.
Experience More Lake Michigan Circle Tours
There are many wonderful scenic routes and tours to help discover all the beauty of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Do you want to travel between Traverse City, Michigan and Green Bay, Wisconsin? Take a short cut across Lake Michigan on the car ferry.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour connects over a hundred lighthouses and is one of the most scenic routes in the United States.
The Southern Lake Michigan Circle Tour goes from Manitowoc, Wisconsin around Lake Michigan, eventually ending in Ludington, Michigan.
The Northern Lake Michigan Circle Tour is considered by many to be the most beautiful half of the trip around the big lake.
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is one of the scenic road systems around the Great Lakes. The other Great Lakes also have circle tours.
More Lake Michigan Ferry Info
Port of Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The Port of Manitowoc is a deep water draft commercial harbor on Lake Michigan, and the Wisconsin port for the SS Badger car ferry.
Car Ferry History
Lake Michigan is rich with car ferry history, and the SS Badger car ferry is the most storied of the car ferry fleet.
Highway US-10
The Highway US-10 continuance crosses Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan via the SS Badger car ferry.
Loop the Lake with a Circle Tour Shortcut!
Here are suggested Circle Tour routes which utilize one of Lake Michigan’s ferry services to take a short cut across the lake.
SS Badger Car Ferry
Cross Lake Michigan between Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan on the SS Badger car ferry. Save the driving and enjoy a cruise!
Manitowoc Wisconsin Car Ferry
Manitowoc is the Wisconsin port for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry which sails across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
Lake Michigan Ferries
There are two car ferries operating on Lake Michigan, offering cross-lake service for vehicles and passengers between Michigan and Wisconsin.
Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations
Hammond, Indiana
Straddling Indiana’s border with Illinois sits Hammond, which thrives despite the decline of factories on the southern tip of Lake Michigan.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a charming historical community that embraces its world famous shipbuilding hub and honors their boat and water heritage.
Two Rivers, Wisconsin
Two Rivers’ slogan is “catch our friendly waves” since it is located along Lake Michigan and has plenty of beaches to explore.
Empire, Michigan
Located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Leelanau County, Empire is located south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
West Michigan Coast
From the tip of the mitten, to the southern end of Lake Michigan, the West Michigan coast has beautiful scenery.
New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo, Michigan is notably known as the Gateway to Michigan and is included on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour.